members who are elected to represent the whole membership of the body rather than a subset of that membership. At large voting is in contrast to voting by electoraldistricts. At large systems have frequently been struck down under the Voting Rights Act for not providing communities of color with fair representation.

Term

Attorney General

Definition

Cabinet leader of the Dept. of Justice.

Term

Bail

Definition

the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.

Term

Balance of Trade

Definition

Imports and exports equal

Term

Balanced Budget

Definition

budget expenditure equal to expenses.

Term

Banks

Definition

an establishment authorized by a government to accept deposits, pay interest, clear checks, make loans, act as an intermediary in financial transactions, and provide other financial services to its customers

Term

Battle of Saratoga

Definition

Battle where the colonists defeated the British and convinced the French to join on the American side. Turning point in the Revolutionary War

Term

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Definition

Consumers can file a complaint about a business if they feel that they have not been treated fairly. Historically, the BBB successfully resolves 70% of filed complaints. This organization serves to create a more trusting relationship between businesses and consumers.

Term

Bias

Definition

Prejudice in favor or against another, usually unfair

Term

Bill of Rights

Definition

First 10 amendments proposed by the Anti—Federalists to guarantee basic rights to the people.

Term

Bill

Definition

Proposed law

Term

Bills of Attainder

Definition

Punishes a person without a trial, illegal according to the constitution.

Term

Bonds

Definition

Certificates investors receive when they loan money to businesses/governments and are repaid with interest

Term

Boycott

Definition

to refuse to buy, use, or participate in (something) as a way of protesting : to stop using the goods or services of (a company, country, etc.) until changes are made

Term

Budget

Definition

an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time

Term

Bureaucracy

Definition

System of non-elected government officials often criticized for its complexity, inflexibility, and inefficiency (see red tape).

Term

Business Cycle

Definition

Ups and downs of the economy (peak, contraction, trough, expansion)

Term

Business regulation

Definition

a variety of laws exist that govern how business is conducted in general, and in specific industries.

Term

Campaign Finance Reform

Definition

proposed legislation concerned with the influence of campaign donors on elected officials seeks to limit donations.

Term

Canvass

Definition

a painting canvas is used to cover a frame, and a canvass serves the same sort of purpose. Before elections, politicians want to cover their neighborhoods and districts with canvasses, campaign workers, flyers and the like in hopes of securing votes.